Independiente wonderkid Alan Velasco has all but ruled out a move to the Premier League this summer, speaking to Paladarrojo, amid reported interest from Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion.
While Mike Ashley isn’t exactly famed for splashing the cash like Mansa Musa on a mad one, the Magpies owner is still willing to putting his hand in his pocket now and again.
While neither Joelinton nor Miguel Almiron have set the world alight at St James’ Park, the fact Ashley paid a combined £60 million to bring the South American duo to Tyneside shows he will occasionally invest huge sums in talented youngsters with plenty of resale potential.
And last summer FootMercato reported that when Newcastle were first linked with Velasco the Sports Direct tycoon had no qualms about paying £21 million for a teenager labelled ‘the next Sergio Aguero’ back home in Argentina.
Velasco returned to the gossip columns earlier this month, via Calciomercato.
Newcastle are still interested, although Steve Bruce’s side now faces competition from Lyon, Monaco and Graham Potter’s Brighton.
Newcastle reportedly after £21m Velasco
But while Velasco has never hid his desire to follow in Aguero’s footsteps on the other side of the Atlantic, the 18-year-old knows he still has a lot to learn and plenty of time on his side.
A move to Europe – and the Premier League – can wait for now.
“Today, I don’t think about leaving the club,” says Velasco, who has scored seven goals in 42 senior games. “I do not forget everything that Independiente gave to my family, at times the club even fed us.
“My dream is to play in Europe – I think I can get there. But it isn’t why I’m going to accept the first offer that comes. I want to give back to the club everything they gave me.”
The phrase ‘too much, too soon’ springs to mind when discussing a potential big-money move to the Premier League for Velasco.
But don’t forget the original Aguero was just 18 too when he joined Atletico Madrid for about £20 million all those years ago…
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